Page 23 of Make Your Save

Lucy’s eyes blink as she stares up at my face in wonderment. My heart feels like it grows three sizes inside my chest as a warm feeling of contentment encapsulates me. I’m equal parts terrified while also excited to see what the future has in store for both of us.

It doesn’t take her long to finish her bottle and I throw the burp cloth over my shoulder, positioning her with her chest against my collarbone as I begin to tap on her back. She lets out a few hearty belches that have me chuckling to myself before I move her back into my arms.

I get her settled back against me, tucked into the crook of my elbow as I stare back down at her again. She fits perfectly in my arm and I lift my free hand to gently stroke the sides of her face.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know about you sooner,” I murmur, my voice barely audible, but she stares up atme like she knows what I’m saying. “If I would have, I’d have been there the moment you were born.”

Lucy’s lips part and she lets out the softest sound, almost like a coo. I’m not sure it’s intentional, but I’ll let myself be delusional for a little bit.

“I promise to do right by you,” I murmur, my finger trailing over her nose before I bring my hand down to give her body more support. “I promise I will protect you and take care of you until I leave this world.”

The promise feels so definitive, but I feel it deep inside my soul. Lucy deserves everything in the world and I plan to deliver on that. I’ll rope the moon and wrangle the stars if that’s what she needs.

A smile spreads across her lips, her chubby cheeks lifting as her eyes begin to roll back, her eyelids falling shut. I leave her in my arms for a little while longer, soaking up the quietness of the moment with her in my arms.

My little girl.

The one who is now my whole world...

CHAPTER NINE

HADLEY

Rowan stares down at me, his duffle bag in his left hand as I put a breakfast sandwich in his right one. “What’s this?”

I stifle a sheepish grin, shrugging with indifference. “I figured you could use some carbs this morning.” A frown instantly creeps onto my lips. “You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want it.”

His eyebrows tug downward. “What? No, this is perfect.” He smiles at me, his eyes scanning my face as my expression relaxes. “I usually try to eat something before we get on the plane, but it normally ends up being something I can get on the way because I never give myself enough time to make something.”

“Well, I guess I saved you a stop this morning.”

Something falters in his gaze, something unreadable passing through his dark blue irises. “You did.” He dips his chin slowly, his lips parting as if he’s going to say something else, but he quickly closes them as he glances around the room at the dozen stacked boxes from ourorder he picked up this morning. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay here with Lucy while I’m gone?”

A smile dances across my face. “Of course. It seems like you’re not really leaving me alone anyways.”

Rowan asked me this morning if I minded if he gave my number to Nova and her best friend, Riley, just in case I need back up. Nova started a group chat with the three of us immediately and already made plans to stop by this afternoon.

“It just feels like such a fucked-up thing to do, leaving right now,” he says softly, glancing down at Lucy in my arms. “I don’t know how Coach would feel about it, but I could ask for a leave of absence for personal matters.”

“Hey. No.” He looks back up to me and I reach for his arm, giving his wrist a gentle squeeze. “This is your job. This is how you pay your bills and how you are going to provide for her. I promise you, we will be fine. Nova and Riley are going to be stopping by later this afternoon and everything will be good.”

He slowly tips his chin, still not looking convinced. “I know you can handle it without me,” he tells me, his eyes searching mine. “I just don’t like the thought of you not having anyone here in case you need something.”

“Not all of us are terrified of babies, Ro,” I laugh softly. “You have a whole goddamn village. We got this.”

After his run to the store this morning, he called and made an appointment with the pediatrician for Lucy tomorrow morning. I volunteered to take her since hewon’t be here, which he was extremely thankful for. He also set up a babysitter for when I have to work, so we have every single base covered.

“Okay,” he half whispers, looking back at the baby and me. He’ll be on the road for the next week for a string of away games. “Well, I guess I’m going to go then.”

“You should before you’re late,” I tell him, pushing away the worry that tickles in the pit of my stomach. I have plenty of experience with babies, so I know I have this. I know I can do this. “Have a safe flight, a safe trip, and you’d better make sure you don’t let those pucks get in the net,” I tell him, a grin pulling on my lips as I point my finger at him.

“Whatever you say, outlaw.” He chuckles with amusement. “But only because you told me not to.”

Rowan’s eyes drop down to Lucy and he inches closer, his face lowering to hers. She stares up at him, her eyes wide, mouth falling open. “Bye, little Lucy,” he says softly, his hand lifting to stroke the side of her cheek. “Be good for Hadley until I get home. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He turns his head, looking up at me, and he’s so incredibly close, I can smell a hint of mint from his toothpaste. My eyes trace the vein-like lines around his pupils. “She can’t understand me, can she?”

I laugh quietly, shaking my head at him. “No, but it’s the sound of your voice that is most important. As her vision gets better, she’ll be able to recognize you just from seeing you, but it’s important for her to hear you now.”

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